Supermodel Winnie Harlow's Bizarre Grand Prix Blunder Explained

Winnie Harlow poses for a photo on the grid before the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix in Montreal. Photo: Photo: Mark Thompson/GettySource:Whimn

Supermodel Winnie Harlow has been caught up in a Canadian Grand Prix firestorm after unfurling the checkered flag prematurely.

As a result of the blunder, the 70-lap race was officially declared as 68 laps long with the final two laps erased.

However it's understood the Canadian model, who is a friend of world champion Lewis Hamilton, wasn't to blame for the gaffe. Harlow blamed race officials for telling her the wrong time to wave the flag.

F1 spokesman Matteo Bonciani explained there was confusion getting the message from a course official over to Harlow on the platform.

"WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO WAVE THE FLAG A LAP TOO EARLY!" the former Top Model contestant wrote on Instagram. "You had one job sir!!! Hahaha but so grateful everyone was safe today and no one got hurt!"

F1 regulations say that if a checkered flag is waved too early, the race is over as of the last completed lap.

Fortunately, Sebastian Vettel realised the error and carried on to finish the full duration of the race, Sky News reports. The four-time world champion went on to claim a Ferrari victory - his third win of the year.

The final result wasn't affected, with no changes of position taking place over the final laps.